Kelly Uhlenhopp

Kelly Uhlenhopp (Maggie)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

MARCH 11 — APRIL 17

What excites you about Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the role you are playing?

Almost everything about Cat excites me. The language, the imagery, the passion, the heat, the characters, the sexuality, the relationships, the deceit… I could go on and on. I adore the rhythms of Tennessee Williams and the veiled rawness of his characters. Maggie in particular seems to embody every facet of human nature, which makes her a fascinating challenge to play. She is both funny and heart breaking, loving and cruel, powerful and vulnerable. I love everything about her and I’m excited to continue discovering more and more about her throughout the course of the run.

What’s your process like in preparing for a show like this, and how does that process change (if at all) from other shows?

Part of my process for this show started with working to get my physical body in condition. Maggie is constantly moving and talking throughout Act 1, she has some huge emotional swings within that first hour and it was important to make sure my body and voice were in good condition in order to handle not only the amount of dialogue, but the emotional toll that goes along with it. I’ve found that extra dance cardio has helped with both energy levels and breath control.

I don’t always begin with such a heavy focus on my body, but Maggie the Cat is an extremely physical presence, she is very grounded in her body, very sensually connected to her surroundings so it was important to make sure my instrument was able to express her effectively.

What’s your biggest challenge about taking on this role?

For me, the challenge is making Maggie both a powerful woman and yet a woman of her time. I feel like Tennessee Williams was fairly eloquent with his dialogue, Maggie is clearly an independent thinker and open to loving Brick in a way that works for both of them, but she is still trapped by the idea that marriage is her only way forward. I want to make sure that Maggie is not portrayed as a malignant, conniving woman who is trapped in her marriage, but rather as a woman interested in the truth of her relationship with her husband and how they can move forward together.

How did you get started performing?

It all started in junior high. I took theatre as an elective class in 7th grade, and my teacher entered me in a theatre and debate tournament in the category of Poetry Interpretation, and I ended up winning first place. From that point on, I was hooked!

Why do you still perform?

I believe with all my heart that the world needs artists to tell stories. Art is how we connect as humans, how we connect to the world around us. In an increasingly digital world, it is so important to explore human connection in a visceral way, and theatre provides that outlet for both audience and performers. I love the communal act of uniting with an audience and sharing emotional and physical space together.

What’s your dream role, and what do you feel you would bring to it?

I actually don’t have a dream role. I’m not an actor with a “bucket list.” I find that dream roles have more to do with the team and the environment. The right roles become dream roles as you experience them.

That being said, I would love to do a full production of Shirley Valentine.

What’s a fun fact people may not know about you?

I’ve been seen in a nightgown or my underwear in 6 shows at Vintage Theatre (including this one).